Article 382 Nonmetallic Extensions

[al hildenbrand]

2008 NEC Article 382 Nonmetallic Extensions.

I've just seen information on flat & wide straps of multi conductor cable that can be glued to the face of an already finished wall surface and then painted out, or skim coated and painted out.

As of the changes new to the 2008 NEC, it can be used with 15 and 20 amp branch circuits to extend from an existing outlet of another wiring method.

There is no physical protection for this NM cable on the surface of the wall.

Any one played with it yet?

What do you think of it?

 

[frenchelectrican]

Al,

Tell ya the truth i will not sell that sonvagunner thing even thru the NEC say it is ok but in my heart i just don't trust it due one very serious issue is no protection of whatever.

take a example if someone put a thumbtack or a hook for picture hanger and can weaken them down a bit.

or other example if someone try to cut the wall for remodeling and that person did not know there is a flat wire there next thing the breaker tripped or someone hurt from that.

that one of my reason i won't even touch it

Merci, Marc

 

[al hildenbrand]

The hot conductor is encased, first, in the neutral, and, then on the outside, with the EGC. Encased on both sides of the hot.

382.6 (1) thru (5) states that the "starting/source tap device for the extension shall contain and provide the following protection for all load-side devices:"

And then it lists

• supplementary OCP
• class A GFCI or portable GFCI
• mis-wire protection on both line and load
• local AFCI

Let's say I add a luminaire in the living room, built under the 2005, or earlier, NEC, using this wire under topping compound and paint.

That luminaire is a new outlet and, under 2008 NEC 210.12(B), puts the whole branch circuit on an AFCI breaker.

That means the fault a push pin through the concealed nonmetallic extension might create is protected by two separate OCPDs, two separate AFCIs and a GFCI.